Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has financed the most extensive basic income study in the U.S. through his nonprofit organization, OpenResearch. This initiative involved researchers who provided unconditional cash payments to individuals living below the poverty line for a duration of three years.
The study engaged approximately 3,000 participants aged 21 to 40 from Texas and Illinois, all of whom had annual incomes of less than $30,000. One-third of these individuals received $1,000 each month, while the remaining participants, who formed a control group, received only $50.
Findings indicated that those receiving the higher payments experienced greater flexibility in seeking jobs that aligned with their preferences. The authors of the study noted, “Cash can increase people’s agency to make employment decisions that align with their individual circumstances, goals, and values. Recipients were more inclined to look for jobs, but they exercised more selectivity in their choices.”
One study participant shared their experience, stating, “Thanks to the cash transfer and the ability to save, I can finally be choosy,” and added, “I don’t have to settle for a low-quality job just because I need income right away. I now have the chance to wait and find the right opportunity.”
Another recipient took a lower-paying entry-level job in a desired field, which eventually led to a six-figure salary within two years. They remarked, “Without the cash transfers, I would not have been able to accept that pay cut.”
The research showed no significant differences in employment rates between those who received the larger sums and the control group. Recipients primarily increased their expenditure on essentials such as food, housing, and transportation. The financial support also allowed them to address health-related expenses like braces and treatment for alcoholism. Although the payments initially alleviated stress, many of the health benefits diminished after two years.
Sam Altman has long supported the concept of universal basic income, especially as artificial intelligence continues to reshape the workforce and displace certain jobs.
Note: An earlier version of this story inaccurately identified the organization behind the study. It was conducted by Sam Altman’s nonprofit, OpenResearch, not OpenAI.